New nurses wanted.
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I have just read a post in a Nursing Specialties forum on Staff Development that makes reference to the need to recognize and nurture new nurses because the nursing-eat-their-young attitude is so... Read More

P.S. I also recently read in the NY Times that over 60 percent of new grads leave their first nursing job in less than 6 months because they were bullied by nurses they worked with. So "nurses eating their young" is real to all those new grads.

I'm sorry, but if that's true (of which I'm skeptical) then it's just another sign that the coming generation is becoming increasingly narcissistic and overly sensitive.

I'm sorry, but if that's true (of which I'm skeptical) then it's just another sign that the coming generation is becoming increasingly narcissistic and overly sensitive.

Oh it's true, just google Work Bullying and Nursing. There are PLENTY of articles (scholarly articles) and reports about the topic and how it applies to other fields. I think many people can be sensitive, but the statistics don't necessarily mean that the upcoming generation is narcissistic and overly sensitive in every case.

It could mean that people are finally giving light to something that has been an apparent nationwide issue for a whole. Not everyone is sensitive it's just that its been reported and studied enough to where people, in various professions, are tired of putting up with the unnecessary BS that comes from both sides of the "track".

All of those study's and statistics can't be lying. Just a thought. Just like how now things are being done with women getting equal pay for doing the same jobs, or how bullying is being highlighted in schools more. Same principle.

Some of the articles mention how bullying can come from various individuals, not just the experienced ones, but the new and sometimes more tech savy nurses or whatev!

I graduated as an LPN in 2003 at the age of 20. I have intermittently been harassed and belittled by other nurses throughout the years. The vast majority of nurses I've worked with have been "normal" human beings, but a few have really been rude and just plain nasty to me. Management didn't care that I was being sexually harassed by an older female nurse. This was the same management that asked me to falsify records! She would scream and throw things and make fun of me (for being young and pretty) in front of other people, especially men. It was a completely hostile working environment. I almost quit nursing for good.

@joanna73- I have plenty of life experience, as I am over 40. I was on my own at an early age, 16yrs old to be exact. I have lived in places and hung around people that most people turn their back on. I can tell you the whole "nurses eat their young" not only exists but is alive and well. You might not have experienced it, but that doesn't mean that others havent! I am alittle rough around the edges myself, so trust when I say it does exist.

Just because it's researched, doesn't make it necessarily accurate or truth. Depending on your topic of interest, there are all kinds of studies one can find that would support their particular claim. Certainly, horizontal violence exists in nursing, just not nearly as often as people claim. Perception is everything, and based on various comments posted throughout AN, younger nurses can be just as guilty. Remember, when someone is not responding exactly the way you'd expect, this is not unprofessional, or "eating the young."

If you're looking for bullying, or you're someone who takes on the victim role, you will surely find it, in nursing and just about every other field there is. Keep in mind that we all work with different personalities. When I read various comments such as, "They wouldn't give me the time of day in report" or "This person was mean.."

Possibly. But I have to wonder....is that person showing up prepared to work? What kind of effort are they making to solve the problem? Conflict involves more than one person.

Just because it's researched, doesn't make it necessarily accurate or truth. Depending on your topic of interest, there are all kinds of studies one can find that would support their particular claim. Certainly, horizontal violence exists in nursing, just not nearly as often as people claim. Perception is everything, and based on various comments posted throughout AN, younger nurses can be just as guilty. Remember, when someone is not responding exactly the way you'd expect, this is not unprofessional, or "eating the young."

If you're looking for bullying, or you're someone who takes on the victim role, you will surely find it, in nursing and just about every other field there is. Keep in mind that we all work with different personalities. When I read various comments such as, "They wouldn't give me the time of day in report" or "This person was mean.."

Possibly. But I have to wonder....is that person showing up prepared to work? What kind of effort are they making to solve the problem? Conflict involves more than one person.

So what do you presume the abundant amount of accumulated research means if this wasn't a common problem? It actually happens more than people think, which is it is being reported and recorded and studied.

I would think that researchers would devote south literature and effort to such a thing as nurse-to-nurse/workplace bullying if its occurrence was minimal and insignificant. That seems apparent to me. If the issue is contained to be minimized and labeled as a non-issue, then it will continue to worsen until something happens that can't be denied and ignored and must be addressed.

So it is really of little value if individuals, now, view this problem as a non-issue now (no matter how apparent it may be) because people at large do view it as a developing problem and eventually it will be addressed and some people might not like the results, on both sides.

I have to wonder if the nurses on here denying the existance of bully/catty behavior, are they the ones perpetrating it? Just a thought hmmm )))

^ Negative.

My issues are with "perpetual victims"...people who have inner struggles and project their issues out. We as nurses assess this in our pts, yet at times, we don't do the assessment pieces that we learned when it comes to our benefit.

I've been on both sides. I've used those skills that I learned in Mental health courses to state how I learn, what I struggle with, my background, etc. I also expect my orientees to do the same, because I ask those questions, and I expect when you are done, to be confident enough to take care of our pts, to seek assistance without doubt, and to advocate for yourself and the patients that we take care of.

If one is struggling with that, has a history of low self esteem or a history of self-doubt, then forced into a new environment, the stress is there, and can turn people that are usually calm, cool, collected into a person suffering from hypersensitivity.

It happens-let's not ignore that aspect when dealing with conflict as well...both sides have ways of coping, or not; regardless, both of these resources are available at most places that I have worked, including at my new job. If that is not happening, I behoove people to become agents of change, present the EBP and make a plan. We have a CHOICE...choosing to "remain a victim" does more harm that good, especially to the person holistically.

. . . . All I can say is WOW! I guess you are a member of the crusty old bat society!

Based on the context, it appears you intended that as an insult. It isn't. The phrase was coined by someone who was thanking and grateful for the "crusty old bats" she worked with. You've inspired me to put that back on my signature!

New nurses have no business holding onto a defeatist, victim attitude and wailing, "Nurses eat their young!"

Buck up, show a desire to learn, be respectful, THANK ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO GIVES YOU FEEDBACK (yes, even if it is critical, devoid of the sunshine and rainbows you think you deserve). Go in with the right attitude, and you will be fine.

No one is entitled to kid gloves and nurturing. It's nice, but you are responsible for your own success and your own mentality.

Well said. And reiterates why many nurses end up pursuing nursing education. (And why I would like to in the future after more experience). We need good nurses! Eventually, like you said, it will be you, or a family member in that bed, and you want a good nurse. Behind every good nurse is (usually) a good teacher or mentor that taught them something that they will take with them every day (night) to work. Now that I've been a "go-to" person, I think I'm ready to take the step to be a preceptor. Not yet, but in the coming months . Great article, GrnTea!

New nurses have no business holding onto a defeatist, victim attitude and wailing, "Nurses eat their young!"

Buck up, show a desire to learn, be respectful, THANK ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO GIVES YOU FEEDBACK (yes, even if it is critical, devoid of the sunshine and rainbows you think you deserve). Go in with the right attitude, and you will be fine.

No one is entitled to kid gloves and nurturing. It's nice, but you are responsible for your own success and your own mentality.

This topic for me is in no way related to being a victim, I'm a survivor in every sense of the word! It's about RESPECT people, respect goes both ways! Ive seen dogs treated better than what some of you crusty old bats treat new nurses. Being seasoned nurse does not give you the right to be *****!!!!! Don"t hide a bad motive under a good one.
Shame on you!